Crying Uncle

He sits quiet like a saddened mountain
His straight face keeps us calm like an ocean
His hands clenched tightly, as if he were hiding a secret

They dropped his boys off in a hearse
They greeted him with solemn silent polite hello
A salutation with red, white, and blue.

He keeps his face vacant, like a dingy hotel room
It keeps us feeling secure like a loaded gun
His voice sad like halted morphine drip

They dropped his boys with a clap of thunder
The colors sliding and running off the sleek cherry wood
A rainfall please, to hide his tears, so we can stay dry.

To be a sad and humble man among this turmoil wrought
His very foundation that he once called "family" shattered
The impact of loss, the unwavering unfair

For God's sake, Saigon, make him cry....

*Dedicated to Uncle Hugh*